St Mary’s Chediston
PCC Meeting – St. Mary’s Church Wed. 25thMay 2016, 7.30 pm
MINUTES
No. / Item / Comments / Action by1 / Opening Prayers
2 / Apologies–Edward(ER) / Those present: Veronica Downing (VAMD) Graeme Williams (AGW) Bobby Brooks (RB) Ann Williams (AW) Vic Hopkins (VH)
3 / Minutes of the meeting of 4.11.15 / Received and Accepted
4 / Matters Arising / Security with regards lead on roof of tower as advised by Philip Orchard, small amount of lead and hard to access. To alarm would cost in region of 2k.
Ownership of Car Park and adjoining green still needs clarifying with Cross Ram Solicitors
David Mantell has costed repairs to car park and track at £200 in materials – see item 9 / No Action Required
VAMD
5 / Feedback from APCM / The APCM was very positive and well attended. Edward chaired the meeting. Feeling apparent that the church should become more of a community asset (regardless of worship) with the Church ‘being seen to care’. (See item 10, below). / Agenda item next PCC
How to make more of church as community asset.
6 / Report and update from Treasurer / No Treasurer present
7 / Quinquennial Inspection / Philip Orchard has now done the Quinquenniel Inspection on the fabric of the church. Discussion took place anticipating the reports findings:-
-Symbiotic relationship of ivy and church boundary wall
-Five year electrical check still outstanding. Two quotes received, Townsend the cheaper and agreed to proceed.
-There is a need to keep the log book up to date with dates of church works
-Slipped slates, full gutters, possibility of French drain to vestry, linseed oil to doors
Agreed to set up a meeting with David Mantell to discuss the report and its findings.
List of Key Holders needs updating.
Disaster Plan required – main risk, fire/lightning strike. / Set up meeting with David Mantell to discuss Q. report findings and produce action plan.
AGW to liaise with Townsend Electrical.
AGW to talk to Barry Curtis
AGW to implement
8 / Church Lighting / Replacement of current lighting with LED – have we a spec drawn up? Consult with David Mantell / Spec for new lighting and get quotes.
9 / Car Park and Track / Repaired in the short term and engendered some community spirit. Regards a more long term solution various options for funding were discussed – outcome being a fundraiser would be held to cover costs. / AGW to draft letter to Church neighbours/ community at large
10 / School Room Extension / Seems little appetite in the village for extension to proceed at present. To be discussed further in connexion with community use of the church. See item 5 (above).
11 / Vestry Spring-clean / Skip came –invoice outstanding. Vestry cleaned. Damp problem caused old books to suffer mould. VAMD consulted Diocesan Office for advice, who suggested Dominic Wall, conservator with Ipswich Council, but who is very busy. VAMD has used Colin Brown previously for book restoration (works independently but hasdone work for National Trust) Recommends books placed in freezer bags and frozen until they can be assessed…do not dry these books with heat. / VAMD to investigate restoration of Chediston Tomes
12 / Storage cupboard / Pictures, costing and plans of proposed cupboard were circulated. PCC accepted Jonathan Stevens proposals and agreed to proceed with application for faculty / VAMD to see Rector re application for faculty
13 / Chediston as a wedding venue / Chediston rejected for several weddings recently where it might have been the logical location. Jo Wareham was asked to make enquiries as to reasons for this, with a view to improving our chances in future. Feedback discussion - Beautiful church, light inside, but churchyard and surrounds unsuitable for photographs. / Churchyard needs to be made more appealing for photographs
Agenda item for next PCC meeting.
14 / Flag / VH is to gift Chediston Church with a 2 yard sewn St Georges flag. RB is to ask Dave Brooks if he would please consider resuming his position as flag officer. AGW has a list of dates for possible raising and lowering of flag. / Dave Brooks to be trained on flag technique, if accepts role.
15 / Any other business /
- Electoral Roll, submitted in current form but needs updating in near future.
- VAMD presented cheques including visitor donation for Doug’s books and from Chediston Parish Council for mowing churchyard.
VAMD to write thank you letter
AGW to arrange payment to Mr. Warren
(mowing)
16 / Next Meeting / Wednesday August 10th at ‘Wickets’ home of GW/AW 7.30pm
17 / Closing Grace / Meeting closed with Grace at 9.25pm
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